Tribute to Freddie Hubbard II ft. Curtis Taylor and Sean Higgins

Grammy Award winning trumpeter Curtis Taylor and international pianist and composer, Sean Higgins plays tribute to Freddie Hubbard II with the Ziad Jazz Quartet during a very special performance of Jazz at the Bechtler this August. 

Curtis Taylor

Taylor's lyrical and melodic improvisational style displays a level of maturity far beyond his counterparts. His unique blend of soulfulness, harmonic sensibilities and rhythm melt together for an unforgettable sound that directly connects with the soul of the listener. According to Taylor, “When played honestly, music is the ultimate conveyer of truth and beauty.”

Taylor has performed and recorded with Patrice Rushen, Billy Childs, Gary Novak, Bob Sheppard, Ed Motta, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Rodney Whitaker, Antonio Hart and great gospel luminaries Karen Clark-Sheard, Kierra Sheard and the Singletons. More extensively Taylor’s stint with jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut included a notable concert performance at Kennedy Center recorded for NPR’s jazz set, an appearance at the Spoleto Jazz Festival, and a weeklong engagement at Dizzy’s Club in NYC. In addition, Taylor had the great opportunity to tour internationally with virtuosic saxophonist James Carter’s Quintet, performing in: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Canada, and Austria. Rounding out the experience, was a week long stint at Yoshi’s in California again with the James Carter Quintet.

In more recent years, Taylor has had the wonderful opportunity to perform and record with rising Jazz star Gregory Porter. Taylor’s trumpet can be heard on Gregory Porter’s debut album Water and on his junior release (Blue Note records) Liquid Spirit. Both albums were nominated for Grammy Awards. Liquid Spirit won the Grammy in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category for 2013.

Sean Higgins

While classically trained; Higgins offers a modern take on the jazz trio configuration and enjoys exploring many musical genres. He has played keyboards in many commercial settings such as R&B, pop, and fusion and has opened for Dave Holland, Fourplay, Joe Lovano, Talib Kweli, Ryan Cohen, and Stefon Harris and Blackout.

Some performances include successful 8-week US Jazz Ambassador tours of the Middle East and Russia with Alvin Atkinson & the Sound Merchants and a Japan tour with Akio Sasajima. He has played in many NYC clubs such as The Jazz Standard, Smoke, Dizzy’s-Jazz at Lincoln Center, Lenox Lounge, Shanghai Jazz, St. Nick's Pub, and Minton's Playhouse. Sean was a member of the Winard Harper Sextet for 2 years and has shared the stage with Antonio Hart, Charles McPherson, Stephanie Nakasian, Wycliffe Gordon, Fareed Haque, Bobby Watson, Terell Stafford, John Clayton, Jeff Clayton, Russell Malone, and many others. 

PERFORMANCE

Concerts are performed at 6 and 8:15 p.m. with no intermissions. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the 6 p.m. concert and 7:45 p.m. for the 8:15 p.m. concert. General seating is first come, first served. Enjoy light bites and a cash-only bar. Standing room only is available after all seats are claimed.

TICKETS

Tickets are $16 for the public and just $10 for museum members. Buy tickets online, over the phone at 704.353.9200 or at the admission desk. View the full 2019-’20 Jazz at the Bechtler lineup here.

Image: Curtis Taylor

Bio of Curtis Taylor provided by https://www.curtistaylor.net/